Lead Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Catch up on this week’s top business news here. For daily information, subscribe to our free newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily, and find archived newsletters at GulfshoreBusiness.com.
Friday, Aug. 6
LEE HEALTH SUSPENDS ELECTIVE PROCEDURES AS COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS MOUNT
Lee Health is temporarily suspending some elective procedures because of the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Procedures that require an overnight stay that can be postponed without causing patient harm are being rescheduled or not scheduled. Patients who need an elective outpatient surgery and who will go home the same day are not impacted by this change. “We understand this decision may be disappointing news for our patients, but it is necessary to safely manage our hospitals at a time when COVID-19 is spreading rapidly throughout our community, placing an extraordinary demand on our ability to manage our hospitals’ bed capacity,” Lee Health said in a Wednesday statement. “We will reevaluate this change when the number of COVID patients begins to decline.”
Thursday, Aug. 5
Video courtesy of WINK News
FORT MYERS LEADERS CONSIDER ANNEXING PART OF NORTH FORT MYERS
Fort Myers City leaders are discussing the idea of annexing at least part of North Fort Myers to make the incorporated area part of their own city. Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said the city is considering expanding Fort Myers’ boundaries across the Caloosahatchee River into North Fort Myers because areas for the city to grow are becoming harder to find. “We know at some point there will be no inventory. We’re just trying to look toward the future,” Anderson tells WINK News.
Wednesday, Aug. 4
Video courtesy of WINK News
WORKER SHORTAGES IMPACTING CUSTOMERS, BUSINESS OWNERS IN SWFL
From retail stores to restaurants, businesses have a hard time hiring workers now, but many owners also can’t afford to temporarily close. Instead, they’re pushing through, albeit short-staffed. Customers are feeling the impacts of those staffing shortages. They’re waiting longer to be seated and, in some places, paying higher prices. Restaurants are not the only businesses feeling the pinch; even some convenience stores cut back on hours because they don’t have enough employees. FGCU Economics Professor Victor Claar says he doesn’t know when things will get better, but he doesn’t see the shortage worsening because people are going back to work. They’re just being selective when choosing jobs, WINK News reports.
Tuesday, Aug. 3
Video courtesy of WINK News
NCH REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYEES TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE
After initially requiring that new hires be vaccinated for COVID-19, NCH Healthcare System is mandating that all leaders, physicians, providers, contract staff and volunteers be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment by Sept. 16. The regional hospital announced the change Friday because of the recent surge in cases. Because NCH said the Delta variant is five times stronger than the original pandemic, it made the decision to have mandatory vaccines for all staff after meeting with physicians and scientists. NCH is one of the first hospitals in Florida to make this move, WINK News reports.
Monday, Aug. 2
FOR THE LOVE OF GOLF CLOSING 40-YEAR-OLD STORE IN NAPLES, GOING DIGITAL
After operating for 40 years, Friday was For the Love of Golf’s last day for its brick-and-mortar store in North Naples. It was a bittersweet moment for co-owner Flo Podolski, who feels blessed to have been able to dress women golfers to the nines for decades with the latest in fashion and function. Podolski and her husband, Michael, the first pro at Imperial Golf Club in North Naples, opened the local golf store in 1981. For the Love of Golf apparel will still be available for purchase but with a different business structure. The retailer will be online only and feature warehouse shipping and pickup. The new business will be launched by Flo’s daughter, Lori, within the next couple of months online here.
Don’t be the last to know what’s happening in Southwest Florida. Sign up for our free daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily, to stay connected.
